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Environment and greener living

Buying flowers and plants: greener choices

Some flowers and plants sold in the UK have been transported long distances. Some have been grown using fertilisers and pesticides that could harm the environment. There are many ways you can make your choices greener, like opting for seasonal flowers and avoiding plants grown in peat.

Look for organic or locally-grown flowers

You can find organic pot plants at some garden centres, or by searching online

Cut flowers and plants are often grown using peat and fertilisers, and treated with pesticides. The chemicals used can be harmful to the environment, causing water pollution and loss of biodiversity (a wide variety of types of plant and animals).

If you do want to buy cut flowers choose locally-grown blooms, or organic flowers and plants. Organic plants and flowers are grown without using artificial pesticides and fertilisers.

You can find organic pot plants at some garden centres, or by searching online. Organic cut flowers are also available – use the Soil Association link to find a list of organic growers.

Avoid peat

When peat is taken from peat bogs, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere and this contributes to climate change. Peat bogs also support a wide variety of animals and plants; taking peat can damage this environment.

You can help to protect peat bogs and tackle climate change by avoiding buying plants grown in peat:

Consider alternatives to cut flowers

If the cut flowers you want to buy aren’t in season, you could consider choosing an alternative.

Grow your own

If you have a garden, a balcony or a windowsill, growing your own flowers and plants can be a satisfying, cheap and environmentally friendly option. 'Grow your own fruit and vegetables' has information on allotments and community gardening schemes, as well as links to gardening organisations and advice.

Make sure you choose peat-free compost to help them grow – or make your own from kitchen scraps.

Pot plants

Some research has suggested that pot plants improve health, by filtering out pollutants from the air around them. Pot plants usually survive longer than cut flowers, so you may need to replace them less often.

The wider issue

Most of the flowers bought in the UK are imported, usually inside refrigerated aircraft or lorries. Transporting flowers, and keeping them refrigerated, uses energy and produces greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change.

Cut flowers are often grown using peat and fertilisers, and treated with pesticides. The chemicals used can be harmful to the environment, causing water pollution and less variety in plant and animal life.